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Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. dead at 88

Detroit, NFL community reacts

Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah: "William Clay Ford stood tall as the icon of an iconic family that helped define an iconic industry; forever changing the world. He guided Ford into the modern era and laid the foundation that allowed the company to navigate the turbulence that threatened the entire domestic automotive industry in 2008-09. His legacy is forever cemented as a leader and community pillar who left an indelible impact on our great city and state. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Martha, and the rest of the Ford family."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: "For five decades, Mr. Ford's passion for the Lions, Detroit, and the NFL was the foundation of one of the NFL’s historic franchises. As an NFL owner, Mr. Ford helped bring the NFL through enormous periods of change and growth, always guided by his commitment to what was best for the NFL and his beloved Lions. All of us in the NFL extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Ford's wife Martha, Bill Ford, Jr. and the entire Ford family."

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Detroit Lions owner, William Clay Ford. His successful ownership of the Lions spanned over 50 years, providing thrills for football fans in Detroit and beyond. Mr. Ford was instrumental in leading the Ford Motor Co., using his sharp eye and business savvy to help the company transform into the design era. He was a renowned philanthropist and humanitarian, championing causes that helped countless people and organizations. A pillar in our community, Mr. Ford will be greatly missed. We offer our condolences to the Ford family at this sad time."

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford: "I am extremely saddened by the passing of Mr. Ford. He was a tremendous owner, as well as a respected and passionate leader of our football team. He gave me and many people in the city of Detroit an opportunity to be a part of something great. He was a joy to play for, and his love for the Lions and the city of Detroit will be something we all remember. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ford family, and I will always be thankful for the opportunity and the honor to play for Mr. Ford and his beloved Lions."

Detroit Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch (Mike Ilitch separately owns the Detroit Tigers): "We are saddened by the passing of William Clay Ford, Sr. and extend our condolences to the entire Ford family, the Ford Motor Company, the Lions organization and all of his employees. He led with a memorable blend of class, dignity and unwavering commitment to our community and his legacy will always be a source of pride for our city, state and nation."

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores: "I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Ford family and the Detroit Lions on the passing of Mr. William Clay Ford Sr. The Detroit community has lost one of its true icons. Mr. Ford was the definition of a leader in every facet of his life. His accomplishments in business, both in the automotive industry and in professional sports as the proud owner of the Lions, were exceeded only by his many civic and charitable contributions. On behalf of the Gores family, and everyone at Platinum Equity, Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons, our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Ford's family and both the Ford Motor Co. and Lions organizations."

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan: "I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of William Clay Ford, Sr., today. Not only was Mr. Ford a titan in our business community; he has been one of Detroit’s greatest supporters and philanthropists. His commitment to the city was never more evident than it was with his decision to move the Detroit Lions back downtown to the stadium that bears his family’s name. That vote of confidence in Detroit was an important piece of the redevelopment of downtown that has since taken place. Mr. Ford’s compassion was equally evident in the many philanthropic causes he supported so generously over the years. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones as they mourn their loss. Mr. Ford's legacy surely will live on through his extraordinary family."

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson: "We would like to extend our condolences to the family of William Clay Ford Sr. A tremendous owner, his guidance and passion for the Lions spanned more than 50 years. Our NFL community will certainly miss him."

Gov Rick Snyder, via Twitter at @OneToughNerd: "We are saddened to observe the loss of WilliamClayFordSr. We honor his legacy and offer deepest condolences to his family."

The Chicago Bears official Twitter account (@ChicagoBears): "Bears send condolences to the Detroit Lions following the death of their owner William Clay Ford."

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush via Twitter, at @ReggieBush: "Today the city of Detroit lost a great man! RIP Mr. William Clay Ford"

William Clay Ford Sr., who bought the Detroit Lions in 1963 but was never able to realize the same successful on-field rebirth with the team that the Ford family’s automotive company managed in recent years, died at age 88 of pneumonia this morning at his home, according to a statement this afternoon from Ford Motor Co.

Ford Sr., who had been the last surviving grandson of automotive pioneer Henry Ford and was the youngest child of Edsel Ford, died a week shy of his 89th birthday.

Ford’s son, William Clay Ford Jr., 56, is executive chairman of Ford Motor Co. and has been the Lions' vice chairman since February 1995. He sits on several of the NFL's most powerful committees and acts as the day-to-day chief executive of the team in his father’s place. It hasn't been disclosed if Ford Jr. owns any shares of the team.

“My father was a great business leader and humanitarian who dedicated his life to the company and the community,” Ford Jr. said in a statement. “He also was a wonderful family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, yet he will continue to inspire us all.”

Ford Sr.’s death was first reported, via Twitter, by local Fox affiliate WJBK-Channel 2 reporter Jennifer Hammond around noon today.

Ford paid $4.5 million to buy out more than 100 other Detroit Lions shareholders in late 1963 and assumed full control on Jan. 10, 1964. He has been a minority owner and sat on the team’s board since 1956. He became team president in 1961.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Mr. Ford and extend our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Ford and to the entire Ford family,” team President Tom Lewand said in a statement.

“No owner loved his team more than Mr. Ford loved the Lions. Those of us who had the opportunity to work for Mr. Ford knew of his unyielding passion for his family, the Lions and the city of Detroit. His leadership, integrity, kindness, humility and good humor were matched only by his desire to bring a Super Bowl championship to the Lions and to our community. Each of us in the organization will continue to relentlessly pursue that goal in his honor.”

Ford married Martha Parke Firestone in 1947, and they have three other children in addition to William Clay Jr. — Martha Ford Morse, Sheila Ford Hamp and Elizabeth Ford Kontulis. He has 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Forbes.com estimates Ford Sr. is worth $1.35 billion and that the Lions are valued at $900 million.

Ford Sr.'s bid to buy the majority ownership of the team was approved by the Lions' board of directors on Nov. 22, 1963 — the day of President Kennedy’s assassination.

He bought the team from a consortium of 144 shareholders for $4.5 million after a power struggle between Goebel Brewing Co. President Edwin Anderson and D. Lyle Fife, owner of Detroit-based Fife Electric Supply Co.

In the 50 seasons that he’s owned the Lions, the team has made the playoffs just 10 times and compiled a 310-441 regular-season record. In that time, Detroit’s sole playoff victory was in January 1992. The team has not won a championship since the 1957 season, and has never appeared in a title game or Super Bowl since then — a source of often harsh criticism of Ford by fans and media.

The nadir of Ford's ownership came in 2008, when the team became the first in NFL history to go 0-16. Three years later, it reached the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but in the subsequent two seasons returned to mediocrity.

The Lions have had 14 full-time head coaches during Ford’s tenure, the most recent being the hiring of Jim Caldwell in January. Ford didn’t attend Caldwell’s formal introduction press conference at Ford Field; handlers said he was under the weather but did not elaborate.

Under Ford, the Lions moved from Tiger Stadium in Detroit to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1975. The team used a mixture of mostly private but some public funding to build $500 million Ford Field in downtown Detroit, where the team began play in 2001.

Ford was born March 14, 1925, in Kansas City. He was in the U.S. Navy’s air corps during World War II, and earned an economics degree from Yale University after the war. He joined Ford Motor Co. after graduation in 1949, and served in a variety of managerial and executive roles over the years, and sat on numerous company boards.

Funeral services will be held privately, Ford Motor said in a statement. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in the name of William Clay Ford to the Henry Ford Museum at 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Mich. 48124 or to Dr. Scott Dulchavsky’s Innovation Institute at Henry Ford Health System at 2799 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, Mich. 48045.

Ford Motor said its locations in the U.S. will lower their American and Ford flags to half-staff for 30 days. Ford locations outside of the U.S. will follow local custom.